DR. DOLITTLE Reviewed by Jamie Peck
Murphy's John Dolittle is an esteemed doctor (of course) whose relationship with his wife (Kristen Wilson) and daughters (Kyla Pratt and Raven-Symone) needs a little work, though much of his recent distraction can probably be attributed to the big financial deal he's about to sign at the office. Matters are complicated one night when he whacks his head during a car crash and is suddenly revisited by his childhood ability to communicate with all creatures great and small, namely the down-on-luck pooch (voiced by Norm Macdonald) that caused the accident and a brazen guinea pig (Chris Rock) belonging to his youngest child. There's also a subplot about evil HMOs and a greedy hospital colleague ("Bulworth"'s Oliver Platt), but they're largely dispensable. Before Dolittle knows it, word of his talent spreads to the entire animal kingdom and he's performing marriage counseling on pigeons and giving advice to an alcoholic monkey (one of the best bits).
"Dr. Dolittle" veers off course as it nears its end, when the tone abruptly shifts and the film asks us to emote over an ailing tiger (Albert Brooks) whose neurotic ramblings, up until then, have provided some of the movie's funniest moments. These climactic scenes blatantly attempt to tug at the heartstrings, but "Dolittle" is far more successful when it masks its moral ("You be who you are, and you love who you are") behind the guise of Murphy and his chatty critters. For the record, there's nothing wrong with positive messages, and the one here is particularly worthwhile, but it clashes with everything else when it's forced to the front of the film. Still, that's not as big a flaw as it might seem given that A) it's only apparent during "Dr. Dolittle"'s last reel, and B) the movie is a pretty irresistible romp beforehand.
Murphy, effective and genuine as a family man, holds his own against his furry, feathered co-stars; though they get all the best lines, he plays off them good enough to remain the real star of the show. The special effects that allow the menagerie to speak and the celebrities who provide their voices are a lot of fun as well; while much of what they have to say will be appreciated by the youngest audience members, "Dr. Dolittle" throws more than a few jokes the way of grown-ups. (A conversation between two rats: "If he dies, I don't know what I'll do!" "You'll take me outside and eat me!" "Only out of respect.") There are even punchlines that kids will guffaw at without really getting. ("Our butts hurt," a group of sheep complain to Dolittle.) While nothing incredible even as comedies come, the movie does its job and does it well, all inside of a running time that barely fills up 90 minutes. If laughter is the best medicine, then "Dr. Dolittle" should come in pill form.
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